All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 85 Beyond the Talisman of Life and Death, the Human Heart Is Hard to Bind

The old woman snorted but didn't say anything.

"Don't mind her, Sect Leader. Senior Sister is just bored."

Li Qiushui chuckled softly, covering her mouth, but then noticed the old woman's gaze sweeping over her. She quickly suppressed her smile and regained her composure.

Seeing that she knew what was good for her, the old woman stopped arguing and used her inner strength to call out, "Xiao Yu, tell them to wait outside."

Xiao Yu's voice of agreement could be heard from afar outside.

Then the old woman turned to Zhang Cheng and said, "Including Coconut Flower Island, all thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands of my Lingjiu Palace have been disbanded by you."

"What's wrong, Granny Tong, are you feeling sorry for her?"

"Feel sorry for them?" Granny Tong shook her head. "Those useless people from the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands are scattered all over the country, and they are involved in all walks of life. They come into contact with countless ordinary people on a daily basis."

While I personally feel that using the Life and Death Talisman for control is more reliable, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to show them kindness and have them help you build your reputation in the martial arts world.

A slight smile played on her lips: "We're playing good cop and bad cop, one of us. I reckon that for at least the next ten years, without the Life and Death Talisman, they won't dare to disobey your orders."

Zhang Cheng nodded but did not reply.

The old woman glanced at him and said, "I heard from Xiao Yu and the others that the trouble in the northwest of the capital was because many people died in Luoyang. Among them were high-ranking officials and martial arts practitioners, but no one has even seen whether the murderer is a human or a ghost."

These days you've been away from the valley for a while every day, so I suppose you were the one who handled those cases?

Zhang Cheng did not deny it. Seeing his tacit agreement, the old woman's expression became even more certain.

"Although the effect is not as direct as in Bianjing, Luoyang is a place where retired high-ranking officials live. I think the effect will be just as good if you take action there."

She slowly analyzed, "With so many people dying in one go, the imperial court couldn't cover it up even if it wanted to."

This matter will eventually spread, and everyone will know that the important city of Luoyang in the west of the capital has been turned upside down by someone who came and went at will.

Both the imperial court and powerful families have lost face. The Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands have relatively weak influence over the Central Plains, so launching a war here can be considered a good move.

"If the sect leader truly intends to replace the Song dynasty, he could simply tell us two old folks directly. There's no need for such secrecy, which only creates discord among the three of us."

Zhang Cheng stared blankly at Tong Lao.

Is this still the same muscular old lady I remember? She actually came up with such a long and detailed analysis; I'm almost starting to believe it. Could it be that—out of the three of us, I'm the only one who's the muscle-bound brute?

When the old woman saw that he didn't answer, she thought she had guessed correctly and her expression became even more smug.

"Don't be so surprised. Although Grandma doesn't like those power struggles and petty squabbles, she's lived for over ninety years. What hasn't she seen?"

She crossed her arms, looking like she was in complete control: "What's the sect leader's next plan? Now you can tell us two old folks what it is."

Zhang Cheng came to his senses: "My next step is to go to Suzhou. I promised to help someone find Murong of Gusu to demand an explanation."

As for what Sister Wu said about taking over the Song Dynasty, I really have no such intention. Having the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands do more good deeds and kill people in Luoyang is just a way to clean up this world a bit.

With the Life and Death Talisman in hand, there are many things one can do without being emperor; there's no need to create trouble for oneself.

He paused, then continued, "I thought these were all trivial matters, not worth mentioning, so I didn't specifically tell you two. It's not that I considered you outsiders."

"1

The smug look on the old woman's face froze.

"What's wrong with being emperor?" she retorted. "With your abilities and our full support, unifying the world after replacing the Song dynasty would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?"

"Sister Wu," Zhang Cheng looked at her, "I think with my current cultivation progress, living for a hundred or two hundred years should be a piece of cake."

Can you list some things that I can't do now, but can only be done by becoming emperor?

The old woman was speechless for a moment. It seemed—indeed, that was true.

Even if there's something that requires manpower, one can simply use the life-or-death talisman to coerce the emperor into helping. It seems there's really no need for one to become emperor oneself.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she said, "I'm going to practice my skills. Call me when you're ready to set off," and hurriedly ran off.

That figure from behind seemed to be fleeing in panic.

Zhang Cheng turned to look at Li Qiushui, who was chuckling to herself, and said helplessly, "I thought only you, Sister Li, would do such wild thoughts."

Li Qiushui's eyebrows curved into a smile: "How did you know, Sect Leader? Perhaps my thinking is even more outrageous than Senior Sister's?"

Zhang Cheng immediately became interested: "Oh? So, Sister Li, what are you thinking about?"

Li Qiushui shook her head, a sly smile playing on her lips: "Let me keep it to myself. Otherwise, I might guess wrong and embarrass myself like my senior sister."

She changed the subject, her face showing a look of reminiscence: "Speaking of which, my senior brother's daughter is in Suzhou."

Back then, I was heartbroken and entrusted her to a trustworthy family before heading to Western Xia to seek a new life.

I've wronged her a lot over the years, and this trip to Suzhou with you is a good opportunity to visit her.

Zhang Cheng was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Sister Li, I have bad news. Among the people I'm going to deal with in Suzhou this time is your daughter, Li Qingluo, who is now married into the Wang family."

Li Qiushui's smile froze instantly. "The sect leader isn't joking with me, is he?"

Zhang Cheng didn't speak, he just looked at her quietly.

Li Qiushui stared into his eyes for a moment, and the color gradually faded from her face.

She took a deep breath, her face pleading: "The sect leader was willing to spare even the people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands. Can't you give Qingluo a way out?"

"The people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands mostly kill each other because of fights in the martial arts world. But during her years with the Wang family, she would kill anyone she encountered who was from Dali or had the surname Duan. Most of the people she killed were ordinary civilians."

Li Qiushui remained silent for a long time before speaking again: "The sect leader is a kind person who wants to do good deeds and bring blessings to more people."

"The deceased are gone. If Qingluo can obtain the forgiveness of the deceased's families, could she be treated leniently?"

Zhang Cheng looked at her and countered, "What if she herself can't remember who she's killed?"

"Since the sect leader said that she specializes in killing people from Dali and those with the surname Duan, she must have investigated thoroughly before committing the murders."

I can use "soul-searching telepathy" to force her to recall who she has harmed in the past.

If someone is indeed killed by her in a muddled way without knowing their origins, then that is her fate, and Qiu Shui cannot help her. The sect leader will have the final say in that matter.

Zhang Cheng then asked, "What if the deceased's relatives cannot be found, or they refuse to forgive her?"

"That's Qingluo's fate." Li Qiushui closed her eyes. "I have nothing to say."

Zhang Cheng thought for a moment: "Even if all of this is done, she may escape the death penalty, but she will not be spared punishment. I will place a life-and-death talisman on her, which will activate every year."

Li Qiushui's body trembled slightly. She was well aware of the terror of the Life and Death Talisman.

She hesitated for only a moment before nodding and saying, "That's how it should be. However, I'm willing to take the blame for her when the time comes, so I ask that the sect leader share some of his palm strike with me."

Why is Sister Li doing this to herself?

"In the end, it was my and my senior brother's fault." Li Qiushui lowered her head, her voice very soft, "Born but not raised, that's why Qingluo is like this today."

When she looked up again, her expression had returned to normal: "Because of Qiu Shui's family matters, the sect leader has been delayed for quite some time. The sect leader should attend to important matters first. I'm going to see my senior sister."

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